althom1122

I have a week between jobs for a short getaway this month. I haven't decided where to go but am leaning toward a few days in Florida. I'll be by myself and am not into nightlife (not really a party type - especially alone - too shy!). I think I'd like a nice relaxing beach with nice sand where I could sit and read a book and look at the water and maybe take a dip. A town that's fun to stroll. Maybe some shopping. I don't think I want a really big city (like Miami). Something somewhat walkable. And someplace where I'll feel comfortable being by myself. I'm more into quaint/funky than cosmopolitan. Suggestions?

And if not Florida, what about other ideas? It doesn't have to be a beach. I'd prefer a reasonably short flight (3 hours or less from Baltimore). I've considered Quebec (yes, I know, I know, TOTALLY different!) and also Maine. I just want to get away and recharge and be able to enjoy being by myself - without feeling uncomfortable.

Suggestions?

Karen

frenchwow

Naples great beach/shopping/and super restaurants!
I have a condo there that I rent out-2 b 2 bath with a pool just out the lanai on a golf course.
It is really a super city.

sferguso

A second for Naples - we've stayed at the Registry and LaPlaya, both upper end resorts. LaPlaya sits right on the beach, which is nice. The Registry, although considered beachfront property, is a short walk or shuttle ride to the beach. Good shopping and dining in Naples, but I don't really consider it a "strollable" town, everything is pretty spread out.

Captiva Island also nice - we stayed at a condo at the Seven Seas resort. I would recommend it as well. It is within walking distance to several restaurants and a few shops, it seemed much more casual that Naples. You might check out Sanibel too.

sobster

That wpuld be prob. South Seas Resort on
Captiva. Excellent suggestion. Very relaxing place, great beach. Not much of a town to saunter in but there are stores and restaurants near the entrance to the property. Naples is an actual city where there is plenty to walk around and look at and in.

virginia

you can fly usair to bangor, maine for just under $400. rent a car at the airport and drive (1hr20mins) to bar harbor. acadia nat'l park is there. the whole area is gorgeous. town will just be coming to life for the summer. stay at the bar harbor inn in the lodge section. the view of the bay is really nice. the park is fun to explore. you can walk into town in 5 mins from bar harbor inn to shops and food. also in front of the inn, a nice path starts & runs along the ocean passing in front of some of the "cottages". i've done this trip alone and was very comfortable in bar harbor and driving around sightseeing.

althom1122

Thanks for the tips so far. Yes, I'm actually very torn between Florida and Maine. (I like lots of DIFFERENT things! I always have a hard time deciding what to pick from a menu, too!)

Sunshinesue

Seaside, Florida http://www.seasidefl.com/ is exactly what you are describing. Or any of the "Beaches of South Walton"
http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/

leeam

Destin, Ft. Walton area in the Florida Panhandle. You will NOT find prettier beaches. You can walk the shore line, where the water is the greenest you have seen! They have the countrys largest outlets within 15 minutes. There are some great restaurants, and lots of little towns to explore within 30-40 min. I would highly recommend the Destin Pointe Condos., the views are spectacular, this is in a gated community called Holiday Isle. Have fun where ever you go!

GoTravel

I like Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale. Both laid back beach towns but FLL is probably the more high flying of the two.

tchoiniere

Sarasota, Fl.

HKP

In your situation, I think I'd stay in Sarasota, either on Lido Beach (where you can walk to St. Armands for great shopping, strolling, cafe-ing or out to So. Lido park, nice nature walk) or else Siesta Key beach area (smaller, slightly younger and funkier "town" area but still nice). Many other pleasant things to do in Sarasota - museum, gardens, a downtown that's very nice walking/strolling with some really nice restaurants.

mclaurie

Karen, you haven't said anything about budget or whether you plan on renting a car. Both may affect your decision. I've been to Naples and while it's lovely, it's not that easy to get there. You fly into Ft. Myers and then have to drive. There are not a lot of hotels both on the beach and in walking distance of town. If you're going to rent a car anyway, it doesn't matter. But if you want this to be w/o a car rental, that will narrow your options.

althom1122

I would rent a car. Budget isn't a major consideration, but I do like to find a good deal. Prefer somewhere well-located and quaint more than a large hotel resort. A condo would be nice. Or a B&B even. Or a small hotel. I think any of those would be more to my liking. My neighbor just threw a wrench into things by asking me if I want to go with her for a short Ocean City getaway that week (we could drive in 3 hours and it would be much cheaper - plus I'd have a friend along!). She could also go in July, though, so I might still go somewhere by myself and go with her later. Decisions, decisions!

northeast

Amelia Island is a nice place. Small town with restaurants and shops. I'd go to Ocean City, the price is right plus you'll have a friend to have fun with. You can take a day trip to Cape May. I'm assuming you're referring to NJ.

SAnParis2

I'd also suggest Amelia Island. Easy flight into JAX also.

AAFrequentFlyer

I second the Sarasota suggestion. The airport is close to the downtown area and just few extra minutes to Lido Key. Public transportation runs every 1/2 hour and it's 0.75 to downtown. Shuttles and taxis are also available. Taxi will run ~$15 to downtown, little more to Lido Key.

Sarasota downtown area has many wonderful restaurants, art galleries, small to medium sized theaters, a historic neighborhood full of "doll" houses. When Ringling Circus wintered in Sarasota, Ringling build bunch of these tiny houses for many of the dwarf performers and their families. Today the houses are either privately owned and occupied or are used for little interesting stores, art galleries. There is also a wonderful waterfront with a small park but no beach. Very much walkable.

Lido Key is 5-10 minutes drive from downtown by taxi. There is also a bus that runs every 1/2 hour between St. Armands Circle and downtown. It's also 0.75 per ride.

There are few small condo type accommodations right on the beach or close to it. There are few hotels as well.

Siesta Key can offer you peace and quiet and a wonderful beach but the shopping/eating is rather limited, plus as already noted, it's mostly geared towards a little younger crowd although not very wild or loud. Many families enjoy the island as well because of the beaches plus the variety of condo rentals right on the beach which allows them to cook their own meals. An important factor with small children.

If you just want to relax and read a good book while enjoying the beautiful sand and water, Siesta Key is it. OTOH, if you want a little mix of beach, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, Lido Key should be your choice. Downtown Sarasota is also fun but no beach.

The Ringling Museum, housed in the Ringling Mansion, with one of best art collections in the country. It's close to the airport. The Selby Gardens just south of downtown is worth a visit. The Burns Court Theater for an evening out at the movies. A small, independent movie theater showing mostly independent or foreign films.

MP07950

Another vote for Sarasota! If you can't get a direct flight there, Tampa has a lot of options and is an easy 1 hour drive. Also, how about Charleston or Savannah?

LN

I'd also vote for Sarasota and Lido Key in particular since you'd like some great shopping. You really can't beat the shopping at St Armands Circle.

Air Tran has a nonstop from BWI to Sarasota and generally with good fares. We use it frequently and are then a mere two hours from our favorite spot in Florida. For us it's Longboat Key.

Good luck and let us know how you enjoyed your vacation.

althom1122

Well, thanks sooo much for all the great ideas. But going with my friend won out - both because it was cheap and because we have so much fun together. It's Ocean City, MD, not NJ. We went last year and had a blast. I wasn't sure July would work (for me, not her), so I decided to go for it. We just booked one of the old funky hotels right on the boardwalk, with white rocking chairs on the porch.

Maybe next year I'll do one of the other trips on my own! And yes, I'll let you know how this one goes. Thanks again. As usual, you all are the best!

CarolWeaver

Consider Gulf Shores or Orange Beach on the Alabama Gulf Coast. It's a very laid-back area, and the whitesand beaches are great for lounging. There are spas, shopping, hiking trails...it really is a very nice place to vacation. This web site has a lot of useful information: www.thebeachiscalling.org.